World Environment Day 2016 Marked

National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) - Central Zoo marked the World Environment Day on June 5, 2016 jointly with Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), WWF Nepal and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).

Inaugurating the ceremony, the Chief Guest, Honorable Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation and the Chairperson of the Trust, Agni Prasad Sapkota urged for the collective efforts to address the challenges of climate change impacts. He also reiterate that the Governments’ commitment in the formulation of relevant policies and plans to protect the environment.

Prior to the ceremony, a rally involving thousands of participants along with traditional Dhime Baja was organized to spread the conservation awareness message to the larger audience. The school children and teachers of Friends of Zoo (FOZ), a popular conservation education initiative of the Central Zoo took part in the rally. Similarly, representatives of from partner organizations enthusiastically participated in the ceremony.The theme of the world environment day this year was “Go Wild for Life” focusing on conservation of forest and environment.The Government of Nepal translated the theme in Nepali "Hamro Jeevjantu, Hamro Batavaranra Van, samrakshyan Garau Lagai Sampurna Tan, Man ra Dhan" making it more relevant to Nepalese context.

Another attraction of the ceremony was the participation by Miss Nepal World 2016 as well as the Biodiversity Conservation Ambassador of the NTNC Ms. Asmi Shrestha, Miss Nepal Earth Ms. RoshaniKhatriand Miss Nepal International Barsha Lekhi administered the conservation oath to all of the participants in the ceremony.

On the occasion, Honorable Minister Sapkota honored Dumri Thumka Adarsha Women Community Forest Users' Group recognizing their contribution for conservation of biodiversity. He also felicitated Dr. Udaya Raj Sharma, the former Secretary of the Nepal Government and the former Director of the Central Zoo. Similarly, the Chief Guest also distributed awards and certificates to the winners of the different annual activities of the FOZ program. He also launched publications including the Site Specific Conservation Action Plan for Blackbuck in Shuklaphnata Wildlife Reserve, Nepal published by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation with support from NTNC, Hariyo Ban Program. Member Secretary of NTNC, Mr. Govinda Gajurel welcomed the participants in the ceremony and Project Manager of NTNC-Central Zoo, Ms. arita Jnawali delivered the vote of thanks for the active participation in the ceremony.